The Dental Lighthouse with Dr. Jason Tanoory

This episode is for the implementers. The people who want to feel better, lead better, and live better without overcomplicating it. Jason breaks down the new Better Than Yesterday Four Futures Challenge, a simple framework built around mind, meaning, muscle, and money that helps you tighten up your habits, get honest about your daily rhythms, and actually improve your life one day at a time. You will hear why we are rolling out a seven day test run in December so you can trip, stumble, learn, and adjust before the full thirty day challenge starts in January. Jason walks through each quadrant in detail, explains the intention behind it, and gives practical examples for both beginners and intermediates. Whether you need help dialing in your mindset, reconnecting with people who matter, moving your body with purpose, or finally understanding your money, this episode gives you a clear starting point. If you want the full template Kenzie built or you want to join us for the challenge, reach out. We will be going through it together inside the Dental Lighthouse community and helping each other stay on track. If you want to join us, please email jason@thedentallighthouse.com or visit thedentallighthouse.com.

What does it really take to grow from one practice to ten thriving locations without losing your mind or your margins? In this episode, Jason sits down with Dr. Hardik Chodavadia, co owner of a ten location group in Austin, Texas, to unpack the real story behind rapid but sustainable growth. From signing his very first lease sight unseen to leading a team of more than 80 people, Dr. Hardik shares what worked, what almost broke the business, and what he would do differently if he had to start again today. They dig into the messy middle of scaling: building from de novo instead of acquisition, bringing on partners, hiring a CEO, and learning how to lead when your role shifts from full time clinician to full time operator. You will hear how they structure their leadership team, use meetings to keep everyone aligned, centralize key functions like phones and billing, and protect culture across multiple locations. You will learn: How Dr. Hardik went from one six operatory startup to ten locations in under ten years The real role of office managers and doctors in leading each practice, and why not every associate should be a “leader of record” What their centralized model looks like for phones, claims, and billing, plus where they still keep things local How they think about mentors, partners, and specialists as they scale clinical services Why meetings, structure, and daily scorecard reviews are non negotiable in a multi location group The biggest risks that keep Dr. Hardik up at night, from marketing and new patient flow to over reliance on “rock star” employees without systems If you are serious about adding locations or turning your single site office into a true group, this conversation gives you a candid, behind the scenes look at what it actually takes.

Payroll feels heavy, team feels “busy,” and your profit is not where it should be. Are you actually overstaffed or just underperforming in the right places? This episode breaks that down so you can stop guessing and start leading. Jason walks through clear, practical benchmarks that tell you if your practice is staffed correctly or bloated, and what to do when the numbers say you have a problem. No drama, just data and hard truths. You will learn: How to use hygiene productivity ratios to see if you are losing money in the back What founder docs and associates should be producing per day to justify their support team The simple monthly “revenue per non dentist employee” metric that exposes overstaffing fast Where admin teams usually get bloated and how to decide what to keep in house vs outsource How to deal with C players, why avoiding those conversations is actually selfish, and how it steals from your family too If you feel trapped by payroll but guilty about cutting staff, this episode gives you a framework to decide with confidence, protect your culture, and pay your true A and B players what they deserve.

Most dentists grind today so they can live “someday.” Bigger practice. Bigger check. Then finally unplug, be present, and enjoy life. This episode challenges that mindset with a story that changed my life for good. I share the real lesson behind my friend Steve’s battle with brain cancer at age 47 and how his journey forced me to rethink the entire idea of grinding now so you can live later. If you think you’ll finally be happy after you sell, expand, or hit a magic number… this one will land hard. We dive into: • Why assuming you’ll “have time later” is the biggest lie we tell ourselves • A tactical approach to building an Ideal Week that protects your time, relationships, and health • How to be a driven entrepreneur without sacrificing your marriage, kids, or sanity • Why multitasking destroys both productivity and presence • The mindset shift that lets you win at work and at home right now, not five years from now This is part strategy, part wake-up call. You do not get tomorrow. Stop grinding blindly. Build a life you can be proud of today.

Ever feel like you’re stuck in “research mode,” analyzing your goals to death but never actually doing the thing? In this episode, Jason breaks down the simple three-step framework he’s been coaching heavily in his one-on-ones, group sessions, and even applying in his own strength training and weight loss journey. He unpacks: Initiation Why the hardest part is just starting. How overthinking kills momentum, and why imperfect action always beats perfect planning. Jason explains how to move forward even when you don’t have the full plan figured out. Consistency Once you start, the magic happens in the simple, repeatable reps. Whether it’s leadership communication, dieting, budgeting, or meeting cadence with your OM, Jason shares how small consistent actions beat big bursts of effort every time. Intensity Finally, how to ramp things up without burning yourself, your goals, or your team to the ground. Jason shares real stories from clients who set unreasonable targets, pushed too hard too fast, and how to course-correct into sustainable progress. If you're someone who hesitates before starting, someone who goes too hard too fast, or someone who needs clarity on building systems you can actually maintain, this episode will clean up your thinking and give you a roadmap for lasting growth. Share this with a teammate, spouse, or friend who needs a nudge to begin, a reminder to stay steady, or permission to stop redlining.

Dr. Jason shares his 20-minute Summer Boost talk on how to step back from the handpiece without stepping out of your practice. If you are hiring your first associate or shifting more time to leadership, this is your playbook. Instead of silver-bullet answers, Jason gives you the right questions that drive clarity, capacity, and calm. You’ll learn how to: Define a three-year vision you can actually execute Know if your facility and demand can support an associate Set smart hygiene-to-doctor ratios and schedules that don’t crush morale Onboard associates with checklists that prevent chaos Budget your income in three buckets: clinician, CEO, owner Build an Ideal Week so your calendar reflects your priorities Why listen: real world, no fluff, and zero heroics. Just the mindset and systems that let eight locations run while the owner takes a two-week Italy trip. Bring a notebook. Leave with a plan.

If you tiptoe around diagnoses, patients pay the price. In this candid riff, Dr. Jason challenges new associates and hygienists to stop under-diagnosing out of fear and start telling patients what they actually need, with empathy and clarity. He uses common-sense analogies (optometrist, mechanic, primary care) to show why “let’s watch it” is often just avoidance, then lays out simple language to present perio care, restorations, and time-of-service expectations without drama. You’ll learn: How to replace scarcity and fear with professional confidence Language that is firm, kind, and rooted in patient benefit When to present treatment now versus truly re-evaluate later How leaders can coach providers who keep punting hard conversations A checklist for clear recommendations, consent, and next steps Share this with your clinical team. Patients trust you for the truth, not a comfortable maybe.

Silence breeds stories. In this solo riff, Dr. Jason lays out why leaders must over communicate the why behind goals, policies, and changes. He unpacks the John Gordon principle that in the absence of communication people fill the gap with negativity, then shows how to prevent that with clear, simple context. You’ll learn: How to anchor big goals in a clear purpose so teams buy in What to say when rolling out time-of-service collections How to frame assisted hygiene days so no one assumes you’re “turning into a mill” A repeatable script to explain the why quickly and move forward When pushback is useful and when it is just “we’ve always done it this way” If you want fewer rumors and more results, start leading with the why. Every time.

In this special episode, Dr. Jason shares a condensed version of his full 16-hour Servant Leadership training—recorded live at Dr. Paul Goodman’s “Dental Nachos” Boost Conference in Philadelphia. Whether you’re a founding dentist, office manager, or team lead, this session will challenge how you think about leadership, character, and influence. You’ll learn how to: Build a culture rooted in agape love—the choice to lead with patience, kindness, and honesty Replace “power” leadership with influence-driven authority Create clarity through systems, feedback, and accountability Develop your character to make better choices in the moments that matter Dr. Jason breaks leadership down into a repeatable, practical framework you can apply Monday morning. If you’re ready to lead with purpose, clarity, and courage—this one’s for you.

In this episode, Dr. Jason breaks down how to set smarter financial goals for your practice—without waiting until the week between Christmas and New Year’s when the Manhattans are flowing and the notebook comes out. He walks through a practical, no-fluff method for projecting 2026 revenue and profitability, explaining why most dentists miss the mark by setting goals without a tactical plan to back them up. You’ll learn how to: Calculate realistic revenue growth using real data (not wishful thinking) Identify where to find hidden profit in your expenses Track your performance like a business owner, not just a clinician Avoid the “hope and hustle” trap that leads to burnout If you’re ready to stop guessing and start leading your practice with precision and confidence, this episode is your jumpstart for a more intentional, profitable 2026.

In Part 2 of this bonus and incentive series, Dr. Jason dives into team-based reward systems—what works, what fails, and how to design plans that actually improve performance and protect profitability. You’ll learn: Why “set a random goal and hope for the best” bonus systems backfire How to calculate your BAM (Bareass Minimum) number so your team understands what it takes to break even Simple frameworks for profit-sharing that reward ownership thinking, not entitlement How to protect cash flow while building a transparent, high-accountability culture What conversations start happening when your team actually knows the numbers From arbitrary production goals to data-driven profit sharing, Jason shares how his own practices have evolved—mistakes, wins, and all. If you’ve ever struggled to balance motivation with money, this episode will help you build a system that drives results without draining your bottom line.

When it comes to bonuses and incentive plans, there’s no one-size-fits-all formula—and the wrong plan can tank culture just as fast as it boosts production. In this episode, Dr. Jason breaks down what actually works when rewarding individuals in your practice—dentists, hygienists, assistants, and office managers—and why the key is matching the right system to the right people. You’ll learn: The incentive structures that motivate A and B players (and why they flop for C players) Simple, transparent ways to bonus hygienists, associates, and managers without wrecking cash flow How to tie rewards to behaviors that benefit patients, the team, and the practice equally Where most practices go wrong with profit sharing and “motivational carrots” This is Part 1 of a two-part series. Next up: how to design team-wide incentives that build alignment and accountability instead of resentment. If you’re ready to move beyond cookie-cutter bonus plans and start rewarding what actually drives growth, this one’s for you.

Dr. Jason sits down with Ryan Gross of CMO Share to talk real numbers and real moves when patient demand gets price sensitive. Using multi-year call and search data, Ryan explains why more patients now lead with cost and insurance questions and what winning practices do on their websites, phones, and schedules to keep conversion high. You’ll learn: Which pages to upgrade first so AI and Google surface your answers when patients ask “how much” and “does it hurt.” How to add clear fee ranges and financing on service pages without scaring people off. The exact phone language that saves price-shopping calls instead of losing them. Why visible online availability boosts traffic and calls, even if most patients still book by phone. Capacity plays that create “yes, today” options without wrecking your ops. When to cut, when to double down, and how to stay aggressive while everyone else retreats. If you want a simple plan to protect growth when wallets tighten, this episode gives you the levers and the scripts.

In this episode, Dr. Jason sits down with his longtime accountant and tax strategist, Scott Haberman (CPA, Eide Bailly), to unpack one of the most common questions in dentistry: “Should I start a DSO?” Together they break down what a DSO actually is, when it makes sense to form one, and the key mistakes owners make when scaling beyond a single practice. From equity and efficiency to tax implications and partner dynamics, this is a candid, real-world look at what it takes to grow responsibly. You’ll learn: When to consider creating a DSO—and when not to How multi-location owners can clean up “messy books” and clarify profitability What equity and ownership structures actually look like in practice Whether DSOs offer real tax advantages or just extra headaches Why clarity, communication, and clean agreements matter more than ever If you’ve ever wondered whether a DSO could streamline your operations or just complicate your life, this conversation will help you see the full picture—no sugarcoating, just strategy.

Note takers have opinions. Recordings have receipts. In this episode, Dr. Jason lays out why hitting “record” on every team meeting, 1:1, and quick check-in is the simplest way to boost clarity, coaching, and follow-through. He covers the big four: perception vs reality, building better leaders with real feedback, keeping part-timers in the loop, and turning talk into action items that actually get done. Then he walks through the how with permission, tools, access control, and a clean workflow so nothing slips. You’ll get: A repeatable system for recording, summarizing, and assigning next steps How to coach with empathy while still saying the uncomfortable thing clearly A way to share only the right clips with the right people The privacy and consent guardrails that keep you safe Perfect for: owners and ops leads who want fewer “Wait, that’s not what I heard” moments and more measurable progress.

Not every “busting at the seams” practice needs a bigger building. In this episode, Dr. Jason coaches a young owner who’s winning on paper but questioning whether expansion is worth the debt, stress, and time tradeoffs. They dig into the real why behind growth, how to spot FOMO in your decision making, and smart ways to create progress without adding ops or headcount. You’ll hear: A simple test to know if you actually want expansion or just feel pressured How to grow fulfillment, EBITDA, and team capability inside your current four walls The “season” mindset for big moves and how to protect family time while you build When to pass on great opportunities and trust another will appear Practical delegation moves that buy back hours before you spend dollars Perfect for: owners at capacity who crave progress but refuse to mortgage their peace just to keep up.

Your front desk is glued to Instagram, your schedule is leaking, and your A-players are quietly fuming. In this episode, Dr. Jason breaks down a real listener email and walks through a simple path from chaos to consistency. You will learn the difference between triangular accountability and peer to peer accountability, how to define “winning” for the front desk so expectations are crystal clear, and when to offer grace vs when to set consequences. If you have ever lightened someone’s workload to “help” and accidentally punished your rock stars, this one will sting in the best way. You’ll get: A quick script to shift from tattling to peer accountability A checklist to reset standards for phone use and align to core values How to tie behavior to metrics so coaching is objective, not emotional When to escalate from coaching to write up to part ways A reminder to protect culture by not redesigning systems around C players Perfect for: owners and leads who want a focused, no drama plan to get phones down and productivity up.

In this episode of the Dental Lighthouse Podcast, Dr. Jason sits down with Corey, a young dentist from North Carolina, who is navigating the all-too-familiar “ceilings of complexity.” From maxing out physical space and operatories to stretching leadership bandwidth and balancing family, faith, and personal health, Corey shares what it’s really like to grow a practice while trying not to lose yourself in the process. Together, they unpack what happens when growth collides with capacity—how to recognize culture cracks before adding an associate, why morning huddles and leadership delegation matter more than ever, and how to protect your time so you can lead both inside the office and at home. If you’ve ever felt stuck between expanding your practice and protecting your peace, this conversation will give you clarity, perspective, and the courage to push through to your next level.

If your practice is growing but accountability feels like it’s slipping through the cracks, this episode is for you. Jason dives into the real, practical steps for defining exactly what your leads should be doing day in and day out. Using a case study of a large, successful practice on the verge of expansion, he unpacks how to bring structure to the front desk and beyond—without flipping everything upside down. You’ll learn: Why accountability charts and clearly defined “hats” matter The 80/20 split of leadership vs. patient-facing tasks for leads How checklists, scorecards, and meetings drive accountability What effective one-on-ones look like (and how they build trust) How to empower leads to actually lead instead of running every issue back to the doctors This is not about cookie-cutter consulting. It’s about building systems that fit your unique practice while giving your team the tools, clarity, and confidence to step into leadership roles.

What happens when you're on the other side of the patient experience—and it goes sideways? In this episode, Dr. Jason shares a personal story about a frustrating hospital visit that left him stewing in a changing room for nearly an hour. From missed MRI scans to poorly managed expectations, this experience becomes a powerful analogy for common mistakes made in dental practices every day. You’ll learn: Why small oversights—like not checking a scan before a patient leaves—can create outsized damage to trust and perceived competence. How to handle mistakes with urgency and empathy, including working around patient schedules. The overlooked power of proactive communication and managing expectations in real time. Why a simple, thoughtful gesture (like a $10 gift card) can help repair a frayed patient relationship. This episode is a crash course in turning service breakdowns into leadership and systems breakthroughs. If you want to improve your patient experience, start here.